In 2014, Sivu gifted listeners his evocative, intricately produced album Something On High and if that somehow managed to escape your radar, you should really go check it out. Your newfound motivation for immersing yourself in Sivu’s music, whether it’s the first, second and hundredth time, is his new single and first release in two years ‘Lonesome’. It also comes with the news of Sivu’s second LP, Sweet Sweet Silent, which was written and recorded in refuges of Cambridge, a Brixton studio and a remote town in the Scottish Highlands. Our first insight into this sophomore record is, of course, ‘Lonesome’ - a slowly unravelling five minutes of sweeping violins, easy-going percussion, grounding strings courtesy of Kirsty Mangan, and an off-kilter backing choir singing la-la-la, all led by Sivu’s shivering, carefully placed lyrics in a style akin to Bombay Bicycle Club frontman Jack Steadman. Rattling through notions of fear, doubt and introversion, Sivu’s performance is excelled further by the in-keepingly restrained production of Brit Award winner Charlie Andrew, who has previously worked with Marika Hackman and Alt-J. It’s completely easy to lose yourself in the instrumental swells, delicate ebbs and Sivu’s symbolic narration. ‘Lonesome’ is one reason to be excited for July 7th, the release date of Sweet Sweet Silent. - HT